Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 13:41:46 -0700 From: Jeffrey <jeffrey@azstarnet.com> To: FreeBSD-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Can I rename root? Message-ID: <200112302041.NAA21129@cepheus.azstarnet.com> In-Reply-To: <20011230103317.A474@localhost> References: <20011229154552.B855@localhost> <20011230103317.A474@localhost>
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On Sunday 30 December 2001 02:33 am, Rogier Steehouder wrote: > > Do any programs rely on the name > > 'root' being available or is it prefectly safe to use vipw and rename it > > to 'master' or 'admin'. > Besides the user and group databases the following files mention root: > /etc/aliases I had already redirected root to my regular user: > no problem > /etc/crontab Replaced 'root' with 'admin' Not that I am even brave enough to rename root (I trust the instincts of those with more experience than I). I am not sure what you are gaining by doing this.... I am assuming you are doing this to obtain some security by obscurity, right? If so why not choose something a bit less obvious than admin? I would guess that someone breaking into your system upon not finding a root would see the admin account for what it is pretty quickly..... Second, if one only gains access to your system via a standard user account what is keeping them from looking for the 0 UID in /etc/passwd? That will probably tip them off pretty quickly as to what account they should be targeting. I am still pretty new at all of this, I am just trying to figure out how the benefits outweigh potential risks/abnormalities. Jeffrey To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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